Shichi Hon Yari Sake Tasting

My bedroom radiator has a drip that drives me crazy. Sometimes at night, I lay awake and can hear the drip, drip, drip. I know I’ve got to get it fixed, but I’ve never gotten around to it. The only way I can calm my nerves when I hear this drip is to close my eyes and think of “Shizuku” sake.

Shizuku, also known as drip or trickle sake, indicates the sake was made using a lavish production method where sake mash is filled into mesh bags and suspended over a container. All the clear sake that drips out by gravity alone is collected. It’s really the “cream of the crop”.

I was excited to learn that Sakaya was hosting a tasting of Shichi Hon Yari sakes, including their ultra rare Junmai Daiginjo Shizuku. I was lucky enough to visit Shichi Hon Yari Brewery back in October 2008. My Impression upon visiting this brewery left me with one word ringing in my ears… “artisanal”. The operation is small and deep in the countryside of Shiga Prefecture, but they make robust, hand crafted sake that has a global reach.

Midori-san from Shichi Hon Yari importer Joto Sake, was pouring two Sakes. Let’s take a look:

First is their most famous export the Shichihonyari Junmai. This sake uses locally grown Tamazakae sake rice. It’s fantastic both chilled and heated and offers a dry yet robust sake experience. Not to be missed. Oh, and you can’t beat the cool Samurai design on the label.

The Second sake we had was the aforementioned Shichihonyari Shizuku Junmai Daiginjo. An exquisite Shizuku or “drip” sake, it’s an elegant treat of light fruits on the palate a wisp of crispness that gives it a grounded backbone and good balance. It’s an amazing trickle sake in that it has the body to stand up to food and would be an excellent pairing with lots of yummy stuff. Midori-san recommended cheese and I agree! It’s expensive stuff, but also know it’s a “limited edition”… once it sells out, here won’t be any more until next year!

Shichi Hon Yari represents to me so many good things about the world of sake that I love so much. Hand crafted sake made with pride and passion! You can’t beat that. Now if I could only get my Super to look at that radiator…